Time-recording lock.



Patented June 20, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET hiornea.

A. F. ENGST.

TIME RECQRDlNG LOCK. APPLICATION man JULYE. x914.

1,188,378. Patented June 20,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Int/anion g 934,. QQ WC M WW5.

min ass s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST 13. ENGST, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FIFTH TO GUSTAVUS LOEVINGER AND TWO-FIFTHS ro MAURICE W. s'rorrnn, BOTH or ST. PAUL, MINNESOTJL' TIME-RECORDING LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1916.

'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUcUs'r F. Enes'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Time-Recording Locks, of which the following is a pecification.

The primary object of this invention is the production of a time lock, which is adapted to make a permanent record when ever a lock is opened or closed from the exterior whereby it can be ascertained by a person in authority the particular key which was used and the exact time when the key was employed to either open or close the lock.

A further object is to provide mechanism which will accomplish the above results, and which can be associated with any suitable key operated locking mechanism for operation.

A still further object is to combine a locking mechanism and an indicating mechanism, whereby a number of different keys can be employed, and each key made to make a permanent record upon insertion in the lock, one of said keys being a master key for locking and unlocking a case holding the indicating mechanism, whereby access can be had to the record of the use of the keys by the person in authority.

To these ends my invention consists of the features of construction, and combinations of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanyii'ig drawings, forming part ofthis specification, Figure 1 is an elevation looking at the back of my invention when the cover or door of the case is swung back in open position; Fig. 2 is a vertical section. taken on the line XX of Fig. 1, when the cover or dooris closed, a portion only of the case being illustrated; Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the indicating mechanism when the master key has been inserted; Fig. 4 is a section on the line Y-Y of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a detail showing one of the markers depressed as when a key is in the act of unlocking the lock and making a permanent record of such operation by the recordingmechanism; Fig. 6 is a ide elevation of the markers removed from the device; Fig. 7 is an elevation of the cover or door of the case showing the drum upon which the record tape is adapted to be wound by the motor or clock work mechanism, and Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a set 'cates a portion of a door, B a lock of usual construction which is adapted to actuate a lock bolt such as 2 in the usual manner through the employment of keys such as C and key mechanism D.

E is the indicating mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention, and F motor or clock work mechanism, which actuates a recording tape G, upon which a record is adapted to be made of the time when the lock is opened 01' closed and of the particular key employed for operating the lock.

T he look B is constructed with the usual casing 3, containing the key mechanism set in the door, and has fastened to its inner face such as by screws 5, a shaft supporting socket member 6, having a cylindrical chamber 7 extending co-axially with the usual key hub 8 cooperating with the usual tumblers 9 forming part of the key mechanism. Vithin said chamber a shaft 10 is slid-able longitudinally, which carries upon its outer end projecting from the socket member indicating mechanism E. This shaft is offset, its offset portion projecting through a slot 11 in the side of the socket member. Extending rearwardly from said offset is an extension 12, parallel to the portion lying within the socket member, said extension being slidably mounted in the inner end of the key slot 13 in the key hub, so that when a key such as C is fully inserted in said slot to engage said tumblers, a shoulder 14:, which is formed on the back of the key will press against the end of the shaft and move the shaft inwardly according to the distance said shoulder is placed from the outer extremity of the key. An expansion coil spring 15 is placed between the offset portion 12 of the shaft and the outer end of the socket 6, said spring being adapted to urge the shaft back with the indicating mechanism to said case.

E, into normal position, when the key hich has been used in the lock has been withdrawn. The keys C are constructed with the shoulders 14 in different positions longitudinally along their backs, so that a different position of the indicating mechanism is maintained according to which key is employed in opening the lock. In this manner the several keys employed are adapted to perform different functions by varying the positions of the indicating mechanism inwardly across the record tape G which is situated and moved below the indicating mechanism.

Arranged on the back of the door and secured thereto such as by screws 20 is a suitable case H into which the shaft 10 projects freely and carrying a door or cover 21 hinged to its back and locked closed by a lock arm 22. This lock arm engages below an inwardly projecting shoulder 23, which is carried by the inner face of the casing door. The manner of operating this lock arm to open the casing door will be hereinafter described, the lock arm being held in normal position, by the engagement with the shoulder 23 by means of a leaf spring 24 secured to the rocker shaft portion 25 of the lock arm which is journaled in the case H, the ends of said spring being also secured The inner face of the shoulder 23 is formed with a cam surface 26, which strikes against the lock arm 22, and moves it against the tension of the spring 24 when the casing door is being closed until i the lock arm passes back of the shoulder 23,

when the casing door is fully closed, where upon the lock arm fully engages the shoulder and holds the casing door locked closed. The spring 24 having its intermediate portion secured to rocker shaft 25, which has formed integral therewith the lock arm 22 has its ends sprung down within a semi circular inner surface 27 of the casing H, thus holding the rocker shaft and its lock arm normally in position to fully engage back of the shoulder 23.

The indicating mechanism which is mounted upon the shaft 10 consists of a supporting plate 30 freely journaled upon said shaft back of a collar 31 and in front of the cam or operating arm 33, the latter being secured to the shaft by set screw 32. The cam 33 is adapted to co-act with an inwardly projecting pin 34 on the lock arm 22, so that when the indicating mechanism is moved inwardly a sufficient distance which in the apparatus disclosed is its innermost position, the cam 33 through the engagement of the shaft 10 with the key barrel and key therein, (said key being the master key 35), engages the pin 34 and disengages the lock arm 22 from the shoulder 23, thereupon releasing the casing door 21 and allowing it to be opened. When the master key 35 is withdrawn from the lock, the spring 15 urges the indicating mechanism back into normal position, moving with it the cam 33 out of engaging position with the pin 34, and allowing the door to snap locked when closed.

The supporting plate 30 is formed with an inwardly projecting flange 36, the lateral ends of which are bent downwardly over inwardly projecting guide rods 37, which are secured to the inner wall of the case H. These guide rods serve to permit the sup porting plate 30 moving longitudinally with the shaft 10, but prevent the supporting plate from turning with the shaft. The flange 36 is formed with a transverse passage 38, in which a sectional marker I. is slidably mounted, so that its sections 39 and 40 may slide side by side independently of each other in said passage. The upper extremities of the marker sections have heads 41, while the lower extremity of the section 39 is formed with a double point 42, and the lower extremity of the section 40 with a single point 43, said points being adapted to puncture the record tape G, leaving a dis tinguishing mark, by which it can be ascertained which of the marker sections has been depressed. As the markers are depressed. one by the forward rotary movc- 9 ment of a key in opening the lock, and. the other by the reverse movement of the same key, it will be seen that distinguishing marks are entered upon the tape, thus recording such operations. Arranged above the marker sections are two similar arms 44, the outer ends of which are pivoted at 45, upon the plate 30, and their inner ends resting against the marker sections in position to depress them. The inner end of one arm is adapted to press downwardly upon the head 41 of the marker section 39, and the inner end. of the opposite arm 44 is adapted to press down upon the head 41' of the marker section 40, to cause either of the marker sections to make its in'iprcssion in the tape. Normally the inner ends of the arms 44 rest freely upon the heads of the marker sections and below the opposite ends of a rocker member 46, which is pivoted between its ends upon the screw 47 secured to the plate 30. This rocker member 46 is formed with an upward projection 48 resting in the path of rotation of cam 33, so that when the arm 33 is swung downwardly by turning the shaft 10 a sufficient distance in either direction the rocker member 46 is tilted accordingly and either one or the other of the arms 44 likewise depressed, thus actuating the marker section lying below the arm 44, which is depressed. Thus the marker section is depressed according to which direction the shaft 10 is revolved by turning the key in the look. For instance if the key is turned into unlocking position, the marker section 40 will be depressed or if the key is turned into locking position, the marker section 39 will be depressed.

A. leaf spring d9 secured to the flange 36 of the plate has its free end pressing upwardly against the head of one of the marker sections, there being one leaf spring 49 pressing upwardly in a similar manner below the head of each marker section to raise the marker sections and return the arms ti l: and rocker member d6 into normal position, in which the projection l8 extends substantially vertically below the axis of the shaft 10 and in the path of movement of the arm in either direction. lit will be noted that the irulicating mechanism is moved inwardly according to the distance the shoulder ll; is positioned inwardly from the point of the key, which is inserted in the lock, and that according to said inward position, which is assumed by the indicating mechanism, a record is entered by the markers upon the record tape G. It will be further noted that when the key having its shoulder 14L positioned nearest the point of the key, is used in cooperation with the key mechanism, the indicating mechanism durin the early portion of the turning of the shaft 10 in one direction engages by its arm 33, the pin 3st onthe lock arm 22, thus unlocking the door 21 and allowing it to he opened for inspecting or replacing the tape G, which is arranged for making the record of the locking and unlocking movements.

The recording tape is prepared with a suitable diagram composed of transverse lines, such as 60, suitably spaced apart to indicate intervals of time suchas minutes, hours, days and weeks, so that it can be determined exactly when a key is inserted in the lock and made to open or close it. The tape is also provided with longitudinal lines (51, suitably spaced apart laterally to indicate the key which is employed when the lock is opened or closed, said lateral spaces corresponding with the distances the shoulders are placed from the points of the keys, there being a space or line for each key of a group constituting a set. The printed tape is placed upon the periphery of the drum J, one end of said tape being secured around a pin (35, carried by the drum and the other end which is wound into a magazine coil 56, is placed over a spindle 6", which is carried by the casing in a magazine chamber 77 below the drum. The drum J is secured upon the drive shaft 68 of a suitable motor or clock work mechanism 69, which is of usual construction, and arranged within the drum and on the inner face of the casing door 2i. In this manner the drum is revolved so that the surface of the tape G is stepped below the points of the markers car ried by the indicating mechanism in syn chronism with regular time. The tape is passed over a slotted support 70, which is fastened to the casing door and formed with a shoulder 71 on its outer end, which guides the tape laterally, the slot in said support being positioned, so that the points of the markers are free to puncture the tape and enter said slot. The tape is held down upon the support by a spring pressed guide 72, the spring 73 which supports said guide being carried a support on the inner face of the casing door. By this means the tape held freely between the inner face of the door and the shoulder 71 and downwardly upon the support 70, by the spring pressed guide 732, so that the marker sections will indicate accurately upon the tape by puncturing its surface the time of locking and unlocking movements of the lock, and the particular key which was employed each time.

The operation of my invention is as follows :T he keys to be used are distributed to subordinate users, the master key 35, being retained by the proprietor. Should any one of the subordinates insert his key in the lock and move the lock bolt into unlocking position, the act of unlocking turns the key mechanism'and shaft 30, and causes the marker to be depressed. marking upon the tape a single punch mark, indicating the mrticuhir time by minute, hour and day the lock was opened. Owing to the longitudinal position of the shoulder 14 on the key, which has been used, the shaft 30 is moved inward a corresponding distance when the key has been fully inserted in the lock and this position is indicated according to the longitudinal lines 61 or lateral spaces upon the tape. According to this position laterally which the punch mark indicates on the tape, the particular key which has been used is recorded and the user thus identified. When the key is reversed to again move the lock bolt into locking position, the companion marker 35') is depressed, n'iaking another indication by a double punch mark on the tape along the same longitudinal line 61, and indicating the cXact time when the lock bolt was returned into locking position. lVhcn the key is withdrawn from the lock, the indicating mechnism returns back into normal position as illustrated in Fig. 2. There are many longitudinal lines prepared on the surface of the tape as there are subordinate keys, there being one line for c ch key, whereby the use of every subordinate key is indicated by the tape when used.

The marker sections by their distinguishing points. one being single and the ot double indicate upon the tape which direction the lock bolt is moved and due to the movement of the tape below the markers causes the particular time to be indi cated on the tape when either the lock bolt moved into locked or unlocked position. lVhen the master key is inserted in the lock, the shaft 30 is moved inwardly carrying the indicating mechanism to its farthest inward position, and when the master key is turned in one direction, it is adapted to move the lock bolt into unlocking position, and when reversed to return it into locked position. This movement also registers upon the tape, but is adapted at one portion of the movement to cause the arm. 33 to release the lock arm 22 from engagement with the shoulder 26, thus unlocking the casing door 21, and permitting access to be had. to the recording tape for inspecting or replacing it. After the master key has been removed and. the tape adjusted for use, the casing door can be snapped closed and locked automatically. A spring catch 75 on the door releasably engages over a shoulder 76 on the body of the case and holds the door closed until released, thus allowing the master key to be used to actuate the lock without having to open. or close the casing door. The record tape can easily and quickly be inserted in the magazine chamber 77 formed. in the casing and over the spindle (37 with its end. threaded around the drum and attached to the holding pin 65, or after it has been used to make a complete record the tape can be removed from the drum and replaced by an unused tape and an unused tape again applied in the manner stated,

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood. that the construction shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried. out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set forth within the scope of the following claims.

Having dcscril'ied my invention, what I claim as new and desire to n'oteet'by Letters latent z- 1. In a. locking device, the combimition. withv a key mechanism, a shaft rotatably mounted and slidably connected. withv said. key mechanism to move longitudinally and turn, an indicating mechanism mounted upon the outer end of said shaft and. carrying a pair of markers and having actuating mechanism for depressing either of said markers according to which direction said shaft is rotated, clock work mechanism associated with said indicating mechanism, a recording tape movably mounted adjacent said markers and having a diagram upon its face indicating longitudinally intervals of time and laterally distinguishing spaces, said motor drive mechanism being adapted to move said tape in synchronism with the intervals of time marked upon its surface, whereby said markers are adapted when depressed to indicate upon said tape the lock ing and unlocking movements of said key mechanism and the particular key employed by indicating laterally on said tape the po sition of indicating by said markers, and a plurality of keys having abutments differently distanced from the points of said keys and adapted when said keys are inserted in said key mechanism to engage the inner end of said shaft and move said indicating mechanism a predetermined distance across said tape, whereby the keys employed are adapted to be indicated by a distinguishing lateral position marked upon said tape.

2. In a locking device, the combination with key mechanism, a shaft rotatalily mounted and slidably connected with said key mechanism to move longitudinally and turn, an indicating mechanism mounted upon the outer end of said shaft and carrying a pair of markers, and having actiilating mechanism for depressing either of said. markers according to the direction said shaft is rotated. by said key mechanism, motor driving mechanism associated with said indicating mechanism, a recording tape removably mounted adjacent said markers and having a diagram upon its face indicating longitudinally intervals of time and laterally distinguishing spaces, said motor drive mechanism being adapted to move said tape in synchronism with intervals of time marked upon its surface and said markers being provided respectively with single and double marking points, whereby said markers are adapted when depressed to indicate upon said tape the locking and unlocking movement of said key mechanism and the particular key employed by the lateral position of marks entered by said markers on said tape, and. a. plurality of keys having almtmcnts differently distanced from their outer extremities and adapted when inserted in said key mechanism to engage the inner end of said shaft by their abutments and. move said indicating mechanism a predetermined distance across said tape, whereby the keys employed are adapteiil. to indicate individually by a distinguishing posi tion marked upon said tape.

In a locking device, the combination with a key mechanism, a shaft rotatably mounted and slidably connected with said key mechanism to move longitudinally and turn, a. receptacle into which said shaft projects having a. door movably attached thereto, a pair of interlocking members between the body of said casing and door, one of said members being movably mounted to engage the other to hold said door closed, an actuating element carried by the inner end of said shaft and adapted to engage and move said movable member into disengaging position and a key having an abutment adapted when said key is inserted in said key mechanism to engage and move said shaft with its actuating element into engagement with said movable member, whereby when said shaft is turned, said movable member is moved out of locking position.

4. In a locking device, the combination with key mechanism, a. shaft rotatably mounted and slidably connected with said key mechanism to mo we longitudinally and turn, a spring urging said shaft into innermost position, a key having an abutment adapted to engage said shaft and slide it outwardly against the tension of said spring, said shaft being adapted to engage said key mechanism to turn by the revolution of said key, a cam carried by the inner end of said shaft, a receptacle into which the outer end of said shaft projects, said receptacle having a door movably mounted upon its body, interlocking members carried by said body and door, one of which being movably supported and a spring tending to hold said movable member in locked position, said cam being adapted when turned by said shaft and when in innermost position to engage and move said-movable member into unlocking position.

5. In a locking device, the combination with key mechanism, a shaft rotatably mounted and slidably connected with said key mechanism to move longitudinally, said shaft being formed with an offset portion adapted to engage said key mechanism to turn with the revolution thereof, a spring cooperating with said shaft to urge it into innermost position, a plurality of keys having abutments upon their backs differently distanced from the points thereof and adapted when said keys are inserted in said key mechanism to engage the inner end of said shaft and move said shaft a predetermined distance outi'vardly from said key mechanism, a case into which the outer end of said shaft projects, a supporting plate carried y the outer end of said shaft to move outwardly and inwardly therewith in said case, guides carried by said case and engaging said plate to prevent the latter from turning, a pair of markers slidably support ed by said plate and having distinguishing marking points upon their ends, springs adapted to hold said markers in superior position, means for depressing said markers independently, said means being provided with a rocker element pivotally supported upon said plate and having an operating eX- tension, an actuating element carried by said shaft in said receptacle and adapted to sweep against said operating extension to tilt said rocker member in either direction according to the direction of revolution of said shaft, whereby either one or the other of said markers is depressed, and a recording tape movable below said markers whereby a record of the particular key employed to open and close said locking mechanism and the time at which said key is used is recorded upon said tape.

6. In mechanism of the class described, a rocker member pivotally mounted and adapted to be oscillated by a key mechanism, arms disposed beneath the opposite ends of said member, marker sections arranged beneath said arms, and a tape conveying member adapted to receive impressions from said marker sections.

7. In mechanism of the class described, a rocker member pivotally mounted and adapted to be oscillated by a key 111801121 nism, pivoted arms disposed beneath the opposite ends of said member, marker sections arranged beneath said arms for depression thereby, and a tape conveying member adapted to receive impressions from said marker sections when depressed.

8. In mechanism of the class described, arocker member pivotally mounted and adapted to be oscillated by a key mecha nism, pivoted arms disposed beneath the opposite ends of saidmember, marker sections arranged beneath said arms for depression thereby, means fornormally retaining said sections in idle position, and a tape conveying member adapted to receive impressions from said marker sections.

9. In mechanism of the class described, a rocker member pivotally mounted and adapted to be oscillated by a key mechanism, pivoted arms disposed beneath the opposite ends of said member, marker sections arranged beneath said arms for depression thereby, a tape conveying member adapted to receive impressions from said marker sections, and spring means for normally retaining said sections spaced from said tape conveying member.

10. In mechanism of the class described, a rocker member pivotally mounted and adapted for movement in reverse directions by a key mechanism, arms disposed for actuation beneath and by the opposite ends of said member, a plurality of marker sections arranged beneath said arms, each of said sections being adapted for independent de pression by one of said arms, and a tape conveying member adapted to receive impressions from said marker sections.

11. In mechanism of the class described, atape conveying member, a member adapted to impart impressions thereto, and a series of keys adapted to shift said impression member to different points relative to the impression surface of said tape conveying member.

12. In mechanism of the class described, key mechanism, a shaft having a cam surface at one end, a rocker member pivotally mounted intermediate its ends adapted to be engaged and oscillated by said cam, a tape conveying member, means disposed beneath the opposite ends of said rocker member actuated by the oscillation of said rocker member to impart impressions upon said tape member, and a. key having a shoulder insertible in said key mechanism for engagement with the free end of said shaft to actuate said parts.

13. In mechanism of the class described, a tape conveying member, key mechanism, a shaft slidably disposed within said key mechanism and having an end projecting therefrom provided with a cam surface, impression mechanism comprising a pivotally mounted rocker member adapted to be engaged and oscillated by said cam and means coiiperating therewith for imparting impressions upon said tape member, and a series of keys each having a shoulder adapted to engage the free end of said shaft, each key being designed to shift said shaft in a degree different from that of the other of said keys whereby said cooperating impression parts may be actuated to mark upon said tape member at different points.

14. In mechanism of the class described, a

tape conveying member, key mechanism, a shaft slidably disposed within said key mechanism and having an offset portion projecting therefrom terminating in a cam surface, impression mechanism comprising a pivotally mounted rocker member adapted to be engaged and oscillated by said cam and means cooperating therewith for imparting impressions upon said tape member, a series of keys each having a shoulder adapted to engage the free end of said shaft, each key being designed to shift said shaft in a degree different from that of the other of said keys whereby said coiiperating impression parts may be actuated to mark upon said tape member at different points, and means bearing against the offset portion of said shaft for normally retaining said shaft in its innermost position within said key mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST F. ENGST.

Witnesses:

MAURICE W. S'rorrnn, F. G. BRADBURY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

